Fairfax, OH — A 14-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to the murder of 64-year-old Sheila Denise Tenpenny, whose body was discovered inside her Fairfax home earlier this year. Prosecutors said the teen planned the killing for months before carrying it out.
The boy, who was 13 at the time of the murder, admitted guilt to one count of aggravated murder, one count of aggravated burglary, and one count of strangulation on Monday, November 10, according to local ABC affiliate WCPO. He will remain in the custody of the Ohio Department of Youth Services until he turns 21, the maximum term for a juvenile offender.
Victim Found Dead in Her Fairfax Home
Authorities said Sheila Denise Tenpenny was found dead on February 2 in her residence on Germania Street in Fairfax. According to WCPO, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office determined that Tenpenny had suffered trauma to her head and neck.
Her brother discovered her body and immediately called 911.
“I think my sister’s been murdered,” he told dispatchers in the 911 call audio obtained by WLWT. “She’s got her head covered with a pillow, her legs exposed.”
Investigators found the boy’s blood throughout the house, and forensic evidence showed that Tenpenny scratched his face during the struggle. Authorities said she died gripping a lock of his hair, which later helped link him to the crime.
Evidence Revealed Disturbing Premeditation
According to prosecutors, the teen had researched methods of strangulation and plotted the murder weeks in advance.
“He researched how to strangle someone, how to do it, how to find a victim,” said Prosecutor Linda Scott, as reported by WLWT.
Scott also revealed that after committing the crime, the boy bragged about the murder online.
“This one was a fighter,” prosecutors quoted him as writing in a social media post.
Investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations testified that the teen searched “how to defeat police interrogation” and sent messages saying, “I think I just got caught” as police began their investigation.
Arrest and Charges
The boy was arrested ten days after the murder, on February 12, following the forensic analysis linking him to the scene. Prosecutors described the crime as “cold, calculated, and premeditated.”
He was charged as a juvenile but faced the most serious counts available under Ohio law for his age, including aggravated murder and aggravated burglary.
“It’s very disturbing,” Judge Lynne Ward said during the hearing, according to WLWT. “My fear is he made mistakes, but in the future, will he learn from those mistakes?”
Remembering Sheila Denise Tenpenny
Family and friends described Sheila Denise Tenpenny as a warm, loving woman who touched many lives through her kindness and humor.
“She was a beacon of light who touched the lives of many with her kind heart, unwavering resilience, and exceptional humor,” read her obituary from Vankirk Grisell Funeral Home. “She leaves behind a legacy filled with valuable lessons and unforgettable memories that will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.”
Tenpenny’s family expressed gratitude for the community’s support throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
The teen will remain incarcerated until his 21st birthday, after which the state will review whether further supervision or treatment is required.
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